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5 Things to Know About the US Visa for International Students
To study in the United States (US), you must obtain a US visa for international students. The visa is issued by the US Department of State and allows you to legally enter the country to study. The visa also gives you the right to stay for the duration of your program and work in the US under specific conditions, both during and after your studies. The US department has a reputation for rejecting 36% of the applications they receive. In fact, in 2023, they issued around 446,200 student visas and rejected the rest. That’s why before beginning the process for securing a visa, it's important for you to understand everything about the visas, including the types of visas available, eligibility, requirements, processing times, and tips for acing your visa interview. To help simplify the process for you, we’ve put together a simple 5-step guide that will help you navigate the student visa process with confidence.
Enroll at a US-accredited institution
To study in the United States, you must apply for a program at a US-accredited institution like the Schiller International University and secure admission. When your admission is confirmed, you will receive the Form I-20 which you will need later when applying for the US visa for international students.
Types of US visas for international students
When it comes to studying in the US, there are certain things you must understand about the visa process for international students, beginning with the types of student visas. The United States offers 3 types of student visas that allow international students to study in the country. By understanding the different visa options available, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and begin your educational journey in the US.
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F1 student visa: You have to apply for an F-1 visa if you are planning to pursue full-time academic studies at an accredited U.S. institution.
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M-1 student visa: You can apply for an M-1 visa if you are going to be studying a vocational or non-academic program in the US.
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J-1 student visa: You can apply for this specific type of visa only if you are an exchange student participating in an approved program work-and-study-based exchange program.
US student visa requirements
To secure a student visa to study in the US, you must meet specific requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. These requirements ensure that you genuinely intend to study in the US and have the financial resources to support yourself during your stay.
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The college or university you plan to attend must be approved by SEVP Immigration and Customs Enforcement, like the Schiller International University. We are licensed by the Department of Homeland Security for our Tampa campus and are authorized to issue I-20 forms.
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You must show Form I-20 issued by the college/university you’re enrolled in at the time of the visa application. The form proves that you have been accepted by a SEVP-certified educational institution and meet all the eligibility criteria.
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You must produce financial documents in the form of your bank statements, scholarship letters or grants to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition, living expenses, and any other costs to stay in the US.
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You must be in possession of a valid passport with at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the US.
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You must submit your current photograph in the format and dimensions requested in the application form.
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You need to prove your English language proficiency by taking the language test approved by the educational institution you have applied. You must score the minimum accepted by the institution to study in the US.
US visa for international student application process
The processing time for a single student visa application can take anywhere between 3 to 5 weeks and longer if you are applying during peak season. That’s why you must follow all the given steps carefully to successfully obtain your US student visa.
Step 1: Complete the DS-160 form
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You must complete the DS-160 form. It is an online visa application that collects your personal information, such as your educational background and travel history.
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Please make sure that all information you submit is accurate and matches the details you mentioned in your Form I-20 and passport.
Step 2: Pay the visa application fee
You must pay the application fee of $185. You will also have to pay the additional SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee for the visa you’re applying to.
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F-1 student visa: $350
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M-1 student visa: $350
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J-1 student visa: $220
Step 3: Schedule your visa interview
After submitting your DS-160 form and completing the payment process, you have to schedule your visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The average waiting time for scheduling an interview is eight to 13 weeks. Therefore, apply timely to receive your visa on time. Remember, your visa interview is one of the most important parts of the process. It will be taken by a consular officer, who will ask you questions to assess if you are eligible for a student visa.
Step 4: Prepare for the US student visa interview
The interviewer will ask you questions about your study plans in the US in English. From your current financial situation to what your intentions are before and after completing your program, the interview questions will revolve around your personal and academic life. You must prepare to answer all these questions honestly, correctly and confidently. You should also bring all the following required documents to the interview.
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Form I-20
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DS-160 confirmation page
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US student visa fee receipt
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Financial proof - Bank statements, scholarship/grant letters, affidavits of support, etc.
Post-interview process
After your interview, the visa officer in charge will decide your application's status and they should issue a US visa for international students or not. Processing time after the interview can vary depending on your residence country and workload at the embassy or consulate. Remember, it's important to be patient and maintain positive communication with the relevant authorities.
If your visa gets approved, you will receive it within a few days to weeks. In case, your application is denied, you’ll be informed of the reason, and may also be given a chance to reapply or appeal the decision, depending on your situation. At Schiller International University, our Tampa campus in Florida has two Designated School Officers (DSCs) authorized by the SEVP. They can help you with your application for a US visa for international students after you’ve enrolled in one of our programs in Tampa and received your Form I-20. At our Tampa campus, we offer the following degrees.
Bachelors
Masters
Schiller International University is a US-based university offering you the opportunity to receive high-quality education at our Florida campus. Explore some of the best programs in the US, receive professional assistance on how to apply for a US visa and start your American dream. This is your great opportunity to make your dream of studying in the US come true and build a successful career without any limitations or barriers!
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